I coached the 6 am WOD, 7 am Boot Camp, and 8:30 am WOD (as Chris now coaches the Monday @ 8:30 Boot Camp). I then dropped off Luke at home, visited chiropractor, ran errands, and returned to the box to oversee replacement of window. I completed today’s strength before coaching the 11:45 am WOD.

Having already seen folks struggle through this, I was somewhat apprehensive. Unlike most metcons I program, I didn’t try this one out first.

I’m glad that I didn’t, as I may have never programmed.

Sixty percent of 130 is 84.5. I warmed up with 65, put 15# and 5# plates on the bar — but had 10# and 2.5# plates at the ready if needed.

I foolishly selected 35# dumbbells. Dammit. That’s half of my bodyweight. Reverse lunges were much more challenging that OHS. Wow.

I am love, love, loving overhead squats, and today was no exception. I did indeed record the workout. While I occasionally took a few steps to steady myself upon rising, my form has improved dramatically.

I completed rounds of 5 & 10 OHS unbroken as well as first 2 rounds of reverse lunges.

I fell on my ass while attempting to complete 9th rep of set of 15. Ha! I completed remaining 7 unbroken.

I completed 3rd round of reverse lunges in sets of 5 reps, round of 10 OHS in reps of 7 & 3, 4th round of reverse lunges in reps of 5, last round of OHS unbroken, and very last round of reverse lunges in reps of 4 & 6.

I’ve been enjoying watching the 2013 CrossFit Games. I will never understand, however, the propensity of just about every male athlete to shave his chest and compete shirtless. Why? Whywhywhywhywhy?

I coached the 9:45 and Jeff coached the 11 WOD. It’s been a looooong time since we’ve completed a team WOD.

In teams of 434-minute AMRAP3, 10-minute rounds
Rest 2 minute between roundsOne (1) member will be rowing at any given time and for 2 minutes at a time. The other team members will be completing as many reps as possible of the following activities:—Wall balls (20/14)—Thrusters (95/63)—KB swings (52/35)—Weighted air squats (45/25)—V-ups

Only one (1) member may complete an activity at any give time, and may only begin doing so when team member begins rowing.

Sixteen athletes attended the 9:45 WOD. Whew. As we have 4 rowers, we had the exact amount for 4, 4-member teams. I selected the teams and teams got to select team names: Junk, Luke, Sunday-Funday, and Oh, F@ck. Yup, Deborah created that last one. Ha!

I attempted to create teams that were evenly matched. Done. Scores were 1355, 1272, 1421, and 1419, respectively.

Team Sunday-Funday (Jeff, Ashley, Angie, & Emily) seemed to communicate the most effectively, and I expected them to post the highest score. They did, but by a mere 2 points. Ashley continues to grow stronger and stronger. Uhm, 63# thrusters weren’t even a challenge for her! Jeff’s V-ups were spectacular.

Eight attended the 11 WOD, and Jeff chose the teams. Team Awesome (what a misnomer) consisted of Jay, Mark, Cullen, and Michelle. Team Paul (a synonym for “awesome”) consisted of yours truly, Rona, Cheri, and Joshua. I think Rona selected the name.

This was tough. As I was focused on completing reps and rowing, I can’t speak to much else, you know, like number of reps I completed, distance I rowed, etc.

I was the first to row; thus, I didn’t complete wall ball shots until second round. I once again felt incredibly strong today, and was able to knock out numerous reps of wall ball shots (hitting well above 10′ target), weighted air squats, KB swings, and V-ups. I was blur of V-ups, competing 2 for every 1 that my team members completed. I’m being modest. I completed 3 for every 1 that my team members completed. I’m that abulous.

Thrusters, you ask? I completed only 5 or 6 unbroken at a time.

Rowing, you ask? While rowing went well, I didn’t very much enjoy. I was quite winded when I got off of the rower.

Team Paul posted the highest score of the day — 1427. Uhm, we should change the name to Team Awesome Paul. Or Team Paul is Awesome.

I very much enjoyed this workout, and Team Paul worked very well together. Rona celebrated her birthday today, and I was delighted that she began her day with us. All 4 of our communicated very well together, and the time flew by very quickly.

After leading the warmup and reviewing requirements, I worked out at 8:45 as Jeff coached.

I felt very strong today.

There are a variety of ways to complete the “Bear Complex”; I programmed the following:

“Bear Complex”

Complete 5 rounds of 7 reps of the following, increased the weight each round and working up to the maximum weight possible.

— Power Clean— Front Squat— Push Press— Back Squat— Push Press

There are not time constraints. Be sure to rest between reps and rounds.

While there are many ways to complete this complex, the focus today will be on executing proper form. Thus, you must complete a power clean, ensuring that you stand up at full extension. Once you do so, complete a front squat. Again, stand up at full extension before completing push press (not push jerk). In other words, you may not complete a full squat clean and thruster instead of a power clean, front squat, and push press.

Lower and rest the barbell on your back and complete a high bar or low bar back squat. Push press (not push jerk) the bar from the back rack position, bring to shoulders, hips, and then floor to complete the rep.

Keep the bar in control at all times.

Thus, an athlete could reset between both reps and rounds. In addition, I announced that athletes could increase the weight between reps during the last round of 7 reps. Make sense? Good. Going on.

I planned on completing the last round @ 120 or 120#, about 75% or push press 1RM.

I used the first round of 7 reps as more or less a warm up, and completed reps @ 65#. Everything felt fantastic. Yup, I focused on form, yo. I completed the second round of 7 reps @ 75#, and everything still felt fantastic. I had originally planned on completing third round at 85 or 90, but instead settled on 95#.

And each rep felt, well, fantastic. My good friend Deborah was kind enough to record a rep @ 95# and then additional reps at heavier weights. Thanks, Deborah!

Now onto the final round. I completed reps @ 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, & 140#, i.e., a little less than body weight.

I thought, “Why the hell not try 145#?” And that’s what I did. Power clean went smoothly, as did front squat, push press (although a bit of a struggle), and back squat. I wasn’t, however, able to lock out push press from back rack. And that’s okay.

I seriously considered attempting the rep again, but the coach wouldn’t let me. He can be is such a jerk wonderful person.

Uhm, I push pressed 90% of 1RM and power cleaned 85% of 1RM. I call that a successful day.

I then coached the 10 am WOD, and what a large crowd it was! I so appreciate that Jay, even though he’s ungodly strong, listens to my coaching and feedback. He got a 15# PR on the Bear Complex as well. I was most impressed (yet again) with Melinda. Her form for each and every rep was, in a word (that I like), spectacular.

Form, consistency, and then intensity. Melinda demonstrated all three.

I worked out at CFS Wednesday evening with the 6:30 athletes. As previously mentioned, I had spent Tuesday and Wednesday training Situational Leadership for a company located in RTP. The training went swimmingly. Thanks for asking, yo.

There was drama at CFS both Tuesday and Wednesday. I’m not a fan of drama.

I practiced kipping handstand pushups and then — yet again — completed the benchmark WOD “Nicole”.

Dammit.

20-minute AMRAP400m runMaximum number of pull-ups

Ran a total of 2 miles and completed 31, 18, 17, 16, 14, 12, 11, & 7 for a total of 128 pull-ups. Dammit. Two shy of PR of 130.

As I own the box, athletes always get first choice of pull-up bar. I ended up, well, on the end, and used my least favorite pull-up bar. Does it sound like I’m making excuses? Prolly.

I coached the Boot Camps Thursday morning, and then led a group of Lululemon athletes through a special WOD. I had so much fun doing so! I also wore my “Sorry for Being Awesome” shirt. As my friend Greg noted, I’m not really sorry for being so awesome.

After coaching the 8:30 session, I completed today’s programmed workout. I was not, however, able to establish a new dead-lift PR.

I led the first of a 2-day training event at a local professional organization; thus, I didn’t coach at CFS.

And it was weird.

I thought about CFS the entire day, and I missed being there.

I attended the 6:30 session led by the always delightful Jannicka. I finally had an opportunity to participate in a session that she led and to be coached by her. She did a wonderful job! Thanks, Jannicka!

I had planned on doing my own thing, but decided to join the 6:3oers, including (in alphabetical order) Angie, Ashlee, Kevin, & Robin.

As much as I really didn’t want to complete another 111 burpees, I did just that. Just before the metcon began I thought, “You really don’t have to do this, Paul.” I increased the height of the jump to 6″ target above farthest reach of fingertips. And what a difference 4 inches can make. That’s what he said.

ConditioningAFAP111 burpees to 6″ target

I paused ever so briefly after completing 50, 75, and then 90 burpees. I did, however, complete the last 21 burpees at a rapid-fire pace. I heard Jannicka say, “Try to match Paul’s pace. He’s speeding up!”

My time was 6:23, just 9 seconds slower than yesterday. Not bad. Not bad at all.

I worked out after coaching the lunchtime crew at CFS. I completed both today’s and tomorrow’s programmed strength, as it’s unlikely that I’ll get to work out tomorrow or Wednesday. Dammit. I’ll be doing that corporate trainer thing that I used to do.

I completed the set of 30 in reps of 10, 5, 5, 6, & 4, the set of 20 in reps of 12, 5, & 3, and the set of 10 in reps of 5, 3, & 2. It was so damn tempting to rack the bar, but I did not.

I quickly set up and completed tomorrow’s programmed strength.

Press, push press, push jerk3-3-2-2-1

Clean the bar and then press, push press, and push jerk. As the most difficult weight to lift will be the press, base your lifts upon your press 1RM. I suggest 50, 60, 70, 80, & 90% of 1RM. For example, if your press 1RM is 150, complete 3 sets at 75, 3 sets at 90, 2 sets at 105, 2 sets at 120, & 1 set at 135#. Reset before each lift, i.e., receive the bar after pressing, stand up, and then dip and drive for push press. Receive the bar and push press, reset, and dip & drive — and land on bent knees — for push jerk. You may not split jerk.

I completed sets @ 70, 80, 95, 105, & 120#, 55, 65, 75, 85, & 95% of 1RM. This was as challenging as I knew it would be — but also much more fun. Now that I’m coaching full-time my form on all lifts has significantly improved.

I vacillated (that’s a BIG word, readers) between completing today’s and tomorrow’s metcon and finally settled on completing tomorrows.

Conditioning AFAP 111 burpees to 2″ target

As in the past, I used one of the bars on the pull-up rig that is a little more than 2″ above my farthest (not furthest) reach.

I completed 80 unbroken, and paused a mere moment before continuing. I paused ever so briefly after completing the 100th rep, and then picked up the pace for the last 11.